This is mainly a compilation of the visits to various holy places that we have been to recently. This blog started as a result of my wish to document these visits and help other like minded people to reach there easily, prepare them with some information about the place so that the experience will be enriched .

Monday, August 9, 2010

Andarkuppam Balasubramania swamy

I had the occasion to visit this temple yesterday. Ponneri is a small town about 30 kms from Chennai towards Gummidipoondi on the Chennai Calcutta highway. The new 4 lane road being converted to 6 lane is wonderful.At the intersection to Ponneri on the right go in and you will see the road to Andar Kuppam on the left in half a KM . The temple is at the end of the road.The Small temple has a main sannidhi for Murugan in the standing posture with the Vel on the right side .To the right of the main sanidhi is the sannidhi for Vinayaka. outside is the main sannidhi to the right is the sannidhi of Vishwanatha ( Lingam)and Kamakshi. In front of the main sannidhi is an oval stone which is Brahma. The temple legend says that Brahma was held captive by Murugan as he did not answer his question of the meaning of Pranava manthra and so he was incapacitated by Lord Muruga .Lord Muruga then took over Brahma's kamandalam ,rudhraksham and took over Brahma's duties. These are brought out in beautiful carvings in the fore court pillars( view of the gopuram from the right side)(The left wall of the temple complex)In the mandapam outside the sannidhi there are nice sculptures in the pillars.This is the replica of the moolavar. Note that the hands are not in abhaya mudhra but on the hips showing authority in censuring BrahmaThere is a panel showing a Saint being blessed by Murugan with the temple carved above. The legend andava kuppam is inscribed at the base of the temple carving in the fresco.The other panels are of Shiva and ParvathiAnd Nataraja